Key Takeaways
Andreessen Horowitz launched The Horowitz Andreessen Academy in San Francisco on September 22 for high school graduates who have not gone to college.
The first one-year program is tuition-free and open to about 50 students chosen on what they have built, shipped or earned.
The for-profit academy has raised $42 million and counts Anthropic, Coinbase, Google, Meta, Nvidia, OpenAI and Stripe among 10 founding partners.
Andreessen Horowitz has launched The Horowitz Andreessen Academy, a San Francisco school for recent high school graduates who would rather build than head straight to college, TechCrunch reported September 22. CEO Gagan Biyani, a Udemy co-founder, announced it on X in a post that passed 1.5 million views.
Free for now, elite pricing later
The first year is a one-year program with no tuition, open to about 50 students chosen on proof of work, according to the school. Students learn through their own projects plus courses and access to about 200 speakers and mentors. The academy is not accredited, so students will not earn a degree or transferable credits, and they cover their own housing. In 2028 it plans a two-year program with tuition similar to an elite private university, Biyani said.
The academy is a for-profit venture that has raised $42 million. Its 10 founding corporate partners are Anduril, Anthropic, Coinbase, Google, Meta, Nvidia, OpenAI, Palantir, Replit and Stripe, and those companies hope to hire its graduates.
A bet on the entry-level squeeze
The timing matters. AI has been cutting into entry-level tech hiring, and the academy pitches itself as a middle path between a four-year degree and dropping out to start a company. The trade is clear. Students give up a credential in exchange for mentors and a direct line to the companies doing the hiring.
a16z has been building new institutions for a while, including its case for the DUNA as a legal home for internet-native groups. This one lands in the same debate as the Gates Foundation's $1 billion push to widen access to AI, over who gets trained for the AI economy and who pays for it.
People Also Ask
What is the Horowitz Andreessen Academy?
It is a San Francisco school launched by Andreessen Horowitz for recent high school graduates, built around projects, courses and mentorship from tech leaders.
Is the Horowitz Andreessen Academy free?
The first one-year program charges no tuition. In 2028 the academy plans a two-year program priced similar to an elite private university.
Does the Horowitz Andreessen Academy give a degree?
No. The academy is not accredited, so students do not earn a degree or transferable college credits.
Who can apply to the Horowitz Andreessen Academy?
High school graduates, including some under 18, can apply. About 50 students will be chosen based on what they have built, shipped or earned.